Sun, Sep 27, 2026

HPEF Back-to-School 5K

Hoboken, NJ

Registration openAnnual since at least 2024

5K1 Mile100m

About the HPEF Back-to-School 5K

The race starts and finishes at Pier A on the Hoboken waterfront, with the shorter distances running on the pier itself and the longer route heading out along the water's edge. The setting faces the river, so the backdrop during the race is open water and the city skyline across from it. The course is flat throughout.

Parking in the neighborhood is tight, and the organizers steer people toward public transit. The Hoboken Terminal is a short walk from the start and connects to buses, trains, light rail, and PATH. A bag drop area is available on site. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome, with a separate start arranged for them.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a decent-sized field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

5K · 2025 results

325finishers

18:04winner

33:50median

59:46cutoff

Top 3: James Smith (18:04) · Jeff Budney (19:25) · Thomas Jensen (19:27)

The HPEF Back-to-School 5K has been held every year since at least 2024. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 5K results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K9/27/2026 10:00$40

5K9/27/2026 10:00$75

1 Mile9/27/2026 09:00$20

100m9/27/2026 08:30$10

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the HPEF Back-to-School 5K

Will I finish last at the HPEF Back-to-School 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 33:50, and the last recorded finisher came in around 59:46, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the HPEF Back-to-School 5K a good first 5K?

A field of 325 is big enough that you will have company at your pace without feeling lost in a crowd. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 5K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the HPEF Back-to-School 5K?

The 5K winner ran 18:04 while the median finisher took 33:50. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.